Fashion's Puppy Cam

Zappos, the online shoe warehouse, might not be your number one internet destination—but that's all about to change. Seriously. Like, even if momma doesn't need a new pair of shoes.

The site has added a mesmerizing new feature that can best be described as the fashion version of puppy cam: a map that posts images of shoes being purchased across the country—in realtime. For example, as I write, someone in New York bought sensible boat shoes, a person in Maryland got cute pink Chucks, and (ooooh!) someone in Chicago snagged a great pair of BCBG pumps. Each time a gorgeous shoe is bought, it's like seeing a kindred spirit. (Girl who scored the chunky platform leather sandals around Boston, can we be friends?) And then there's the fascinating, so-bad-it's-good ugly-shoe action. With all the love I'm seeing for clogs and Velcro sandals, you'd think I was looking at the Zappos Germany map.